Matthew 21:16

14 The blind and the lame came to Him at the temple, and He healed them.

15 But the chief priests and scribes were indignant when they saw the wonders He performed and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David!”

“Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked. “Yes,” Jesus answered. “Have you never read: ‘From the mouths of children and infants You have ordained praise’?”

17 Then He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where He spent the night.

18 In the morning, as Jesus was returning to the city, He was hungry.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
“Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked. “Yes,” Jesus answered. “Have you never read: ‘From the mouths of children and infants You have ordained praise’?”
KJV
And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?
WEB
and said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” Jesus said to them, “Yes. Did you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of children and nursing babies, you have perfected praise’?”
ASV
and said unto him, Hearest thou what these are saying? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea: did ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou has perfected praise?
DARBY
and said to him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus says to them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?
BLB
And they said to Him, “Do You hear what these say?” And Jesus says to them, “Yes. Did you⁺ never read: ‘Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings You prepared praise’?”
ÅB
«Hører du hva disse sier?» Men Jesus sa til dem: «Ja. Har dere aldri lest: ‘Fra munnen til umyndige og ammende barn har du beredt deg lovprisning’?»
OTB
“Hører du hva disse sier?” spurte de ham. “Ja,” svarte Jesus, “har dere aldri lest: ‘Fra småbarns og spedbarns munn har du beredt deg lovprisning’?”
B1930
Hører du hvad disse sier? Men Jesus sa til dem: Ja! Har I aldri lest: Av umyndiges og diendes munn har du beredt dig lovprisning?

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Psalms 8:2

    From the mouths of children and infants You have ordained praise on account of Your adversaries, to silence the enemy and avenger.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 11:25

    At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.

    Read in context
  • Luke 19:39–40

    But some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples!”

    Read in context
  • Matthew 19:4

    Jesus answered, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’

    Read in context
  • Matthew 12:3

    Jesus replied, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?

    Read in context
  • Mark 2:25

    Jesus replied, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need?

    Read in context
  • Acts 4:16–18

    “What shall we do with these men?” they asked. “It is clear to everyone living in Jerusalem that a remarkable miracle has occurred through them, and we cannot deny it.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 22:31

    But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what God said to you:

    Read in context